hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of“Arrest the downward trend”“Check the growth of communism in South East Asia”“Contain the rebel movement”“Turn back the tide of communism”Synonyms: checkturn backarreststopcontainhold back
keep under control; keep in check“suppress a smile”“Keep your temper”“keep your cool”Synonyms: restrainkeepkeep backhold back
refrain from doing“she forbore a snicker”Synonyms: forbearhold back
wait before acting“the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment”Synonyms: waithold offhold back
secure and keep for possible future use or application“The landlord retained the security deposit”“I reserve the right to disagree”Synonyms: retainholdkeep backhold back
hold back; keep from being perceived by others“She conceals her anger well”Synonyms: concealhold backhold in